Belgian music stars who deceased at age 49
Here are 7 famous musicians from Belgium died at 49:
Jan Engels
Jan Engels (May 11, 1922 Sint-Genesius-Rode-April 17, 1972 Heverlee) was a Belgian professional road racing cyclist.
He began his professional career in 1943 with the Belgian team Alcyon and went on to win several important races throughout his career, which spanned over a decade. Engels won the Tour of Flanders in 1952 and won a stage of the Tour de France in 1953, where he finished 7th overall. He also took part in the World Championships multiple times, finishing in the top 10 three times.
Off the bike, Engels was known for his cheerful personality and love for music, often playing the accordion for his teammates during races. Sadly, he passed away at the young age of 49 due to a heart attack while out on a training ride. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest Belgian cyclists of his era.
Engels was born in Sint-Genesius-Rode, a small village in the outskirts of Brussels, and started racing at a young age. He turned professional at 21 and quickly established himself as a rising talent in Belgian cycling. In addition to his victories in the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de France, Engels also won the prestigious Paris-Brussels race twice, in 1950 and 1951.
Despite his successes, Engels remained a down-to-earth and approachable athlete, known for his friendly demeanor and sense of humor. He was a popular figure among his fellow racers and fans alike, and his unexpected death in 1972 was met with widespread shock and sorrow. In his memory, the Jan Engels Memorial race was established in Vorselaar, Belgium, and has since become an important event in the country's cycling calendar.
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Jules Buysse
Jules Buysse (August 13, 1901 Deinze-December 31, 1950) was a Belgian personality.
He was a professional cyclist who competed between 1924 and 1932. Throughout his career, Buysse won several races, including the prestigious Tour of Flanders in 1926 and 1929. He also won the Paris-Roubaix in 1926 and placed second in the 1926 Tour de France.
After his cycling career, Buysse worked as a cycling journalist for various newspapers and magazines, including Het Laatste Nieuws and Sportwereld. He was beloved by many for his witty and insightful commentary on the sport.
In addition to his work in the cycling industry, Buysse was also known for his charitable and philanthropic endeavors. He was a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals, and he often used his platform to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare causes.
Buysse died on December 31, 1950, at the age of 49. Today, he is remembered as one of Belgium's greatest cyclists and a beloved personality in the cycling world.
Buysse came from a family of cyclists - his brothers were also professional cyclists, and two of his nephews went on to become professional cyclists as well. He was known for his climbing and endurance abilities, and he often wore a straw hat during races, which became his trademark. Despite his success on the race circuit, Buysse was known for his sportsmanship and humility, and he was highly respected by his peers. After his death, a memorial plaque was placed in his honor at the finish line of the Tour of Flanders. In 2019, he was posthumously inducted into the Cycling Hall of Fame.
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Albert Van Vlierberghe
Albert Van Vlierberghe (March 18, 1942 Belsele-December 20, 1991 Sint-Niklaas) was a Belgian personality.
He was a renowned poet, writer, and professor of literature.
Van Vlierberghe published his first collection of poems, "Zandloper" (Hourglass), in 1964, which received critical acclaim and launched his career as a poet. He went on to publish several more collections, including "Wij, wanhopigen" (We, the Desperate) and "Het grote verdriet" (The Great Sorrow), which dealt with themes of love, loss, and existentialism.
Van Vlierberghe was also a respected scholar and taught literature at various universities in Belgium and the Netherlands. His extensive knowledge of literature and his contributions to literary criticism earned him the reputation as one of the most respected literary scholars in Belgium.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Van Vlierberghe was also an editor and contributed to various literary magazines. He was a prolific writer throughout his life and continued to publish until his death in 1991 from cancer, at the age of 49. Despite his relatively short life, his contributions to Belgian literature and scholarship are still celebrated today.
Van Vlierberghe's influence extended beyond his writing and teaching. He was also involved in politics, serving as a city councilor in Sint-Niklaas from 1970 to 1976. He was a member of the Belgian Communist Party and advocated for workers' rights and social justice.His poetry often reflected his political beliefs, and he was known for his critiques of capitalism and imperialism. Van Vlierberghe's impact on literature and politics in Belgium continues to be felt today, and he is remembered as a thought-provoking writer and dedicated activist. In 1994, the Albert Van Vlierberghe Foundation was established to promote and preserve his literary legacy.
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Marcel Buysse
Marcel Buysse (November 11, 1889 Deinze-October 3, 1939 Ghent) was a Belgian personality.
He was a professional cyclist who competed in the Tour de France multiple times and won the Tour of Flanders in 1914. After his cycling career, Buysse became a successful businessman, owning a car dealership and a hotel. He was also involved in politics and was elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 1932. Buysse was known for his love of fast cars and was one of the founders of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium. Despite his success, Buysse's life was not without tragedy as he lost two sons in World War II.
Buysse began his cycling career in 1909 and was quickly recognized as a talented rider, winning his first race at the age of 20. He went on to compete in the Tour de France six times between 1910 and 1914, earning several top-five finishes. In 1914, he won the Tour of Flanders, one of the most prestigious one-day races in cycling.
After retiring from racing, Buysse turned his attention to business and politics. He opened a car dealership and later acquired a hotel in Ghent, which he successfully managed. In 1932, he was elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives as a member of the Catholic Party and served until his death.
Buysse was also a prominent figure in the Belgian automotive industry and played a key role in the establishment of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium. He was a passionate driver and regularly participated in car races and rallies.
Tragically, Buysse lost two of his sons in World War II. His eldest son, Georges, was executed by the Germans in 1943 for his involvement in the Belgian Resistance, while his younger son, Albert, was killed in action in 1944.
Despite his success in business and politics, Buysse remained loyal to his roots in cycling and was a well-loved figure in the Belgium cycling community. A street in his hometown of Deinze is named after him in honor of his achievements as a cyclist.
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Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel (April 8, 1929 Schaerbeek-October 9, 1978 Bobigny) also known as Jaques Brel, Jacques Romain Georges Brel or Abbé Brel was a Belgian actor, singer-songwriter, film score composer, film director and screenwriter. He had three children, Chantal Brel, Isabelle Brel and France Brel.
His most recognized albums: Au printemps, La valse à mille temps, Enregistrement Public à l'Olympia 1961, Les bourgeois, Les Vieux, Ces gens-là, Ne me quitte pas, Les Marquises, De 24 grootste successen and Jacques Brel, Volume 1. His related genres: Chanson.
He died as a result of pulmonary embolism.
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Henri Xhonneux
Henri Xhonneux (June 12, 1945 Eupen-March 24, 1995 Uccle) otherwise known as Joseph W. Rental or Henri Mathieu Ghislain Xhonneux was a Belgian screenwriter and film director.
He began his career as an illustrator and cartoonist, with his cartoons appearing in several Belgian newspapers. Henri Xhonneux is best known for his animated film "Marquis", which he directed and co-wrote with Roland Topor. The film was a satirical take on the French Revolution and was acclaimed for its bold visuals and irreverent humor. Xhonneux also directed several other films, including "Le Roman de Renard" and "The True Story of Puss 'n Boots", both of which were animated features. He was known for his innovative and experimental approach to filmmaking, and his work often pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable for mainstream audiences. Henri Xhonneux passed away in 1995 at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy of influential and boundary-pushing films.
In addition to his work in film, Xhonneux was also a prolific writer and illustrator. He wrote several books, including "Les Salades de Monsieur X" and "Le Dictionnaire des Mots Détournés", which showcased his unique sense of humor and love of wordplay. Xhonneux was also involved in the founding of the Belgian comic book magazine "Humo", and contributed to several other comics and magazines throughout his career. He was known for his collaborations with other artists, including Roland Topor and French musician Serge Gainsbourg, with whom he worked on several projects. Xhonneux's work continues to be celebrated and influential in the world of animation and art.
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Jules Anspach
Jules Anspach (July 20, 1829 Brussels-May 19, 1879 Etterbeek) was a Belgian politician.
He studied law at the Free University of Brussels and became a lawyer. However, he soon became involved in politics and was elected to the Brussels city council in 1863. Anspach became mayor of Brussels in 1863 and served for 16 years. His tenure was marked by significant changes in the city, including the demolition of the medieval walls and the construction of wide boulevards, such as the famous Boulevard Anspach. He also implemented new public works projects, such as the construction of the Palais de Justice and the Central Station. Anspach played a key role in the development of the modern city of Brussels and his legacy remains visible in the city's architecture and layout.
In addition to his role as mayor, Jules Anspach was also a member of the Belgian parliament from 1874 until his death in 1879. He was known for his progressive views and his advocacy for social and economic reforms. Anspach was particularly passionate about improving the living conditions of Brussels' working-class residents, and he initiated a number of programs to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and public health. Despite facing significant opposition from conservatives and business interests, he remained committed to these goals and succeeded in making important strides towards a more just and equitable society. Anspach's contributions to the city of Brussels earned him widespread acclaim both during his lifetime and in the years since his death, and he is remembered as one of the most influential politicians and urban planners in Belgian history.
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